Consultancy
Discover more about consultancy services Paul offers below. As in all ministry activities, Paul operates in consultancy within a Code of Conduct which sets clear ethical standards. Paul does not charge for these services. Find out how he is supported.
WHAT IS CONSULTANCY AND HOW MIGHT IT BENEFIT US?
How do we lead people forward in unity?
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How can we work together more effectively as a team?
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How healthy is our leadership culture?
With research skills, management experience and theological insights, Paul can help leaders of churches and organisations in diverse contexts find answers to questions like these.​
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The idea of making use of external consultants is well established in the world of business, but less familiar to many churches and Christian organisations for two main reasons :
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COST - businesses have large budgets for consultancy, whereas churches and Christian organisations often run on minimal budgets.​​
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CONFIDENCE - leaders in Christian settings sometimes lack confidence that consultants will given them advice that is consistent with their convictions and may worry that a consultant interferes with the autonomy of the church.
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Paul's approach can overcome both of these barriers because it is:
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AFFORDABLE - Paul does not charge for his services, although churches and organisations can donate towards his personal support if they wish. His suggested donation rates are much lower than consultants usually charge.
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FRAMED BIBLICALLY - Paul's approach to consultancy, as with all ministry, is Christ-centred, gospel-shaped and Bible-based. Any advice he gives will be informed by these commitments.​​
​​A critical friend to comment on your policies and position papers, to guide you through a process of strategic planning, to advise on or mediate in a difficult situation or to conduct more thorough research into your context can be invaluable.
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STRATEGIC PLANNING
Guidance and advice on planning wisely
Strategic planning means identifying priorities and goals and making plans to work towards them in a way that is consistent with your vision.
Paul can comment on your strategic plans at any stage in the process or he can work with you to design a process from start to finish. A typical planning process includes:
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Clarifying your vision - what is God asking you to do in your context as part of his mission?
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Identifying your values - what matters to you in theory (what you think is important) and in practice (how you really make decision)?
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Understanding your resources - what do you have to offer and what do you lack?
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Setting your goals - what specific things do you need to do or see happen in order to achieve your vision?
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Outlining your actions - what concrete actions will you take, in what order and within what timeframe, and what resources will each need?
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Throughout this process, communication is key. You need to know who to listen to - most importantly, the Lord, but also key stakeholders - and how to explain what you have decided and why.​​
ADVICE ON POSITION PAPERS AND POLICIES
Help to ensure policies and position papers are sound
Churches and Christian organisations need policies that honour the Lord and people - biblically faithful and practical.
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​Paul can help you design a policy, constitution or position paper or review it with you to help you identify points where it is unclear, may require further theological thinking, or may not be consistent with good practice.
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This may include:
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policies for membership, service or employment.
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position papers on theological or ethical issues.
He is not a lawyer or an HR expert, but he has extensive experience in writing and overseeing policies and position papers in churches and Christian organisations.
HELP WITH DIFFICULT SITUATIONS
Advice or mediation in difficult situations
An external ear and voice can really help leaders understand issues better and know how to help resolve difficulties.
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Paul is available to advise leaders on a biblically-faithful and relationally wise approach to complex pastoral needs, leadership decisions, and conflict situations.
He is committed to listening well and reflecting back what he hears as well as offering advice based on Scripture and his extensive ministry experience.
RESEARCH INTO YOUR CONTEXT
Surveys and focus groups to gain deep understanding
Someone with skills in research can help you see what you might have missed, to gain deeper insights and to show people you've listened well.
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Paul has experience in designing, delivering and reporting on research projects in Christian settings. He uses a mixture of quantitative (counting and analysing numbers) and qualitiative (hearing and summarising perspectives) approaches to create a clear picture. These skills were used effectively in his Masters and PhD research and he has overseen student research projects and chaired a research committee for a public body. His main tools are anonymised surveys and focus groups. He has helped a number of churches in this way.
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Areas where research might help you include:
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Leadership culture - identifying stengths and weaknesses in how you lead and how your leadership impacts others.
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Contextual insights - understanding what people in your neighbourhood, members of your church or stakeholders in your organisation value, what they feel they need, and how they perceive your church or organisation.
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Spiritual health - taking stock of the maturity and spiritual temperature of a group of people.
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Team dynamics - assessing how well you work together as a team and appreciating the diverse contributions team members can make.
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Paul will work with you to develop a project in one of these areas or another you identify, drag on his experience and insights from other contexts.
